It was the reigning world champion's first GP win of the 2010 series after finishing second to teammate Max Nagl in Bulgaria last weekend in the opening event. Nagl who was twice third in the brutal soft sand of the Italian circuit finished third behind Cairoli and Clement Desalle of Belgium. Cairoli also picked up the championship leader's red plate just one point ahead of Nagl in the reckoning.
Historic victory to Cairoli and the KTM 350 SX-F
Clearly loving the win at Mantova in front of his home crowd, Tony said "I'm very happy to win the first ever GP on the 350. Like Stefan (team boss Stefan Everts) said it is a historical victory for us. It's a great feeling to be the first one who has ever won a GP on this bike. I have won on different bikes but to be the first, well that's a different emotion. For sure with this victory I'm convinced that I have a very strong bike. "I'm happy to be back with the red plate but it would have been okay also if it was with my team-mate. The most important thing is to have it at the end of the championship. Now I look forward to Valkenswaard. I like the track there and it's going to be a great race."
Constant improvement for Nagl
While Nagl, who won the season opener in Bulgaria, had to hand the red plate to Tony he was still satisfied with his race weekend. "For me it's like every weekend I'm getting better. I like this track. It was really rough but it was fun to ride. For sure it's good if the red plate stays with the team but if it's possible I want to have it back,"the German rider said. Cairoli and Nagl may be factory teammates but they will also be challenging each other on the track in every GP.
First and second moto action
The first moto saw Nagl at fourth and Cairoli in sixth on the first corner but they then set about trying to hunt down the leaders. While Desalle was still in front at the chequered flag, Cairoli, who said he felt "a little pressure" at his home GP, was a comfortable second ahead of teammate Nagl. But in the second moto when the track was a brutal and deeply rutted, Tony attacked on his KTM 350, took the holeshot and dominated the entire race. He was over the line almost nine seconds ahead of second placed David Philippaerts. Tony also won a pre-season international here in Mantova on KTM's latest racing bike.
While as yet unable to ride, Rui Goncalves, the third member of the KTM factory trio was in Mantova to support his team. The Portuguese rider, vice world champion in MT2 last season is still recovering from shoulder surgery and will rejoin the competition soon. Rui will also ride the KTM 350 this season while Max Nagl, also second in the 2009 MX1 World Championship, is competing on the latest edition of the KTM 450 SX-F.
MX1 Results Round Two
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, KTM 22-25-47 points
2. Clement Desalle, Belgium, Suzuki, 25-18-43
3. Max Nagl, Germany, KTM, 20-20-40
4. Ken de Dyker, Belgium, Yamaha, 18-16-34
5. Xavier Boog, France, Kawasaki, 14-15-29
Championship standings after two rounds
1. Antonio Cairoli, Italy, KTM, 88 points
2. Max Nagl, Germany, 87
3. Clement Desalle, Belgium, 79
4. Ken de Dyker, Belgium, 65
5. David Philippaerts, Italy, 60